Dust mop



July 3l, 1956 E; A. MATTsoN 2,755,453

DUST MOP Filed July 13, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l A 7' TORNEYS July 31, 1956Filed July 13, 1950 E. A. MATTsoN 2,756,453

DUST MOP 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENroR. E0 W/N A. /V/A 'T7-50N .A 7- TORNEYs July 31, 195e E. A. MATTSON 2,756,453

DUST MOP 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 13, 1950 INVENTOIL EDW//v A.MATTSON NM M94@ ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) DUST MoP Edwin A.Mattson, Minneapolis, Minn., assigner to G. H. Tennant Company,Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application July 13,1950, Serial No. 173,611

8 Claims. (Cl. 15-229) The present invention relates to an improved dustmop of a V-type which provides greater than ordinary dust andtrash-holding capacity, ease and flexibility of operation, and intendedparticularly for use wherever it is desired to produce a sweeping pathof varying width without interrupting the continuous forward movement ofthe mop as in factory areas, shops and the like. Usually the mopping ofoor surfaces has been accomplished by using a small triangular-shapedmop, or a large single-bar push type mop. These have the disadvantage ofbeing of small capacity and have no provision for holding a load ofpaper, trash, etc. Other deficiencies of these standard type mops arexed width of the mop, lack of ease of adjustment of the angle of the mophandle with the oor, while maintaining a substantially stable apparatusand a mop holder parallel to the oor; and inadequate means forassembling the mop brushes in the mop holders.

lt is an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies ofthe prior art mopping structures and to provide a new form of mopcapable of having its width of effective mopping area varied while themop is in use so as to be projected in and under adjacent machines,desks, etc.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved moppingstructure of generally V-shaped configuration wherein the angularity ofthe V-shape may be varied while in use for varying the effective widthof the mopping device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved assemblyof mop holders and mop handles and to provide an improved mop assemblyhaving provision for the accumulation of large trash and litter such aspapers, etc.

It is another object or' the invention to provide an improved mopstructure of all steel construction having' removable mop heads.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide an articulateddust mop structure having each dust mop portion independently controlledby a handle and yet articulated together for simultaneous use andvariation during operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mop whereintwo handles independently control two mop sections for varyingangularity of the mop sections relative to each other and hence moppingwidth of the device.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a mop wherein theheight of the control handles can be automatically adjusted to theheight of the controller.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a mop wherein thecontrol handles may be readily raised and lowered so as to provide easeof mopping under objects.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mop wherein thewidth'of the mopping surface may be varied while in use and withoutinterruption of the continuous forward movement of the mop.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mop of increasedcapacity for the accumulation of sweepings before dumping or shaking isnecessary.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mopping apparatuswherein means is provided for the accumulation and catching of litter.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide a mop wherein themethod of attaching the mop holders and handles is easily accomplishedwithout tools and makes assembly easy and inexpensive, and allows foradjustment of the handles while in use.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide a mop brush ofimproved construction, longer wearing capacities and adaptable for easyassembly with the mop frame.

Other and further objects of the invention vare those inherent in theapparatus herein illustrated, described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the drawings in whichcorresponding numerals refer to the same parts and in which- Figure 1 isa view of the complete mop assembly in perspective, showing the mop insweeping position;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the mop in sweeping position;

Figure 2A is a view taken along the line ZA-ZA of Figure 2;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the mop illustrating the mop in closed orfolded position;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the mop illustrating the mop in open orsweeping position and also illustrating the manner of adjustment of theangular position of the mop holders; f

Figure 5 is a sectional View substantially along the line and in thedirection of the arrows 5 5 of Figure 4 and illustrating theconstruction of the adjustable V and of the method of inserting the mopbrushes and also illustrating a modiiied means for attaching the apron;

Figure 6 is a sectional view substantially along the lines and in thedirection of the arrows 6 6 of Figure 4, illustrating the manner inwhich the mop handles are adjustable on the mop holders;

Figure 7 is a plan view, partly in section, illustrating the assembly ofthe mop brushes in the mop holders but with the handles removed;

Figure 8 is an isometric View of one of the mop elements before beingassembled into the apparatus;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a mop brush element showing its construction.

The mop comprises two cordage mop elements or brushes generallydesignated 23 and 24. These mop elements or brushes 23 and 24 areinserted in mop holders or stiff frame-members generally designated 20and 19, right and lett respectively, as will be more fully explainedhereinafter. On the top rear of each mop holder is a short pivot bar,thus bar 32 for holder 19 and 33 for holder 2l), Figure 7, which extendsin a rearwardly direction and at an angle with the mop holder so as tomeet for pivotal attachment at pivot bolt 30. The angle at which thesepivot bars 32 and 33 are fastened to the mop holders 20 and 19 is of noespecial significance so long as they permit the mop holders to movefrom a parallel position as in Figure 3, wherein the bristles of the twomop brushes, generally designated 23 and 24 are interavea/153 twined attheir juncture with sufticient pressure to pickl up dust and litter whenthe mop is lifted to an extended angular position (i. e. a widetf-shape) as in Figures l y and 7, wherein the heels 48 and 49 of thetwo mop brushes 23 and 24 are still intertwined with sutlicient pressureto form a continuous barrier and thus prevent the passage of any dirt orlitter between them, but do not bind upon one another so as to preventfurther increase in the angular movement as to Figure 4. The pivot bolt30 extends through a hole in the pivot bars 32 and 33 vand is capped bya washer and nuts 31. Two nuts are provided so as to prevent disassemblyof the pivot during operation of the mop or a rivet, or one slightlypeened nut may be used.

= To each of the mop holders 19 and 20 there is also attached on the topof each, a hook 16 and 18 with the opening of the hook facing theoutside of the V-shaped mopping trough which is formed when the two mopholders are pivoted together as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Hooks 16 and13 are passed through eyes 15 and 17 in left and right mop handles 12and 13 respectively and `serve to attach mop holders 19 and 20 to themop handles 12 and 13, as shown in Figures 1 4 and 6. Each of the mophandles 12 and 13 is ilattened out at the terimnal end as for mop handle13 in Figure 6, wherein a at plate 44 is provided with an eye 15 throughwhich the hook extends.

The mop handles 12 and 13 extend upwardly from the mop holders 20 and 19and cross slightly below their mid-point, through which crossing point apivot bolt or a rivet 14 is passed. Thus, when viewed from the `front orthe top, as in Figure 4, the handles appear in the shape of an X withthe point of crossing of the bars of the X slightly below the mid-point.Pivot bolt or rivet 14 is provided with a washer between mop handles 12and 13 and with a washer 9 and a nut or flattened end so as to hold themop handles 12 and 13 securely together, yet to permit scissors-likeoperation of the two handles. Each of the mop handles 12 and 13 is bentat a point a few inches from its upper end so as to provide acomfortable handle when the mop is in normal pushing position, as shownin Figure 1. Rubber handle grips and 11 are provided for mop handles 12and 13 for good gripping- An apron or shield is provided which isgenerally designated 21. This apron is fastened by two snaps 26 and 27on the outer side of mop holder 20 and by two corresponding snaps 28 and29 on the outer side of mop holder 19, as illustrated in Figures l and2, or the apron may be provided with eyelets 26A and 27A for mop holderand 2SA and 29A for mop holder 19 and fastened to the mop holders 19 and20 by passing strands of mop brush cordage through the eyelets and tyingthese passed-through strands with adjacent strands into suitable knots26B and 27B for mop holder 20, and 28B and 29B for mop holder 19, asshown in Figure 5 for eyelets 27A and 29A and knots 27B and 29B. Eyelets26A and 28A and knots 26B and 28B are not illustrated, but it is to beunderstood that they are identical with eyelets 27A and 29A and knots27B and 29B .as shown in Figure 5. The apron 21 is of cloth and issubstantially in the form of a triangle, as shown in Figure 1, and thebase vertices 26 and 28 of the triangle are at the forward ends of mopholders 19 and 20, respectively. Thus, the base of the apron extendscontinuously from the forward portion of mop holder 20, along theoutside of mop holder 20, around the heels of mop holders 20 and 19, andalong the outside of mop holder 19v to the front of mop holder 19, thusproviding an unbroken bar-4 rier for the collection of litter as shownin Figures 1 4. The apex of the triangular apron is provided with areinforced eye 50, Figure 4, which is passed over a hook on the bottomend of a light coil spring 22 which in turn is fastened loosely aroundthe rear mop handle 13 at a point 60 directly above the pivot point 14.As mentioned, the continuous barrier formed by the passage of apron 21around the sides and heels of the mop holders 19 and 20 prevents theloss of litter which would otherwise pass over the tops of mop holders19 and 20 and be lost as the mops are pushed forward.

The spring 22 insures that the mop apron 21 shall be kept taut from theheels of the mop holders at 25 to the pivot point of the two handles 14at allftimes, while allowing the handles 12 and 13 to be raised orlowered for various mopping operations.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 show the construction and assemblage of the mop brushelements. Referring now to Figure 9 the mop brush element is composed ofstandard mop cordage, generally designated 46 which is bound around themiddle with strong canvas or other suitable material as at 47. Thisbinding material is sewn along the lines 51-51, 52-52. The bindingmaterial is overlapped slightly at 53 and sewn along the overlap. Thenthe thus formed at mop element is folded along the center line 45-45 andpreferably folded in a direction so that overlap 53 is then on theinside of the fold. This is done to impart greater strength to thebinding. The mop element is then stitched in the folded position alongthe dotted lines 54 54 and 55-55 in Figure 8, and the bound portion isthen ready to be slipped into the hollow cave-like shell of mop holder19 or 20, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 8.v Mop holders 19 and 24) are ofsheet metal rolled orfformed as illustrated by mop holders in Figure 6and Figure 7 into an elongated hollow cavethel stitched and boundportions of the mop elements as shown in Figures 5 8. This provides foran easy method of assembly of the mop elements in the mop holders andyet permits disassembly for renewal or cleaning.

In practice the mop element of Figure 8 may consist of one complete unitor may consist of a plurality of smaller elements as 38 and 39 in Figure7. The latter is preferable for it allows the inexpensive replacement ofsections of the brush as they wear without replacing the whole brush. Italso keeps the brush sections shorter and hence stronger. The mopelements extend out beyond the ends of the holders 19 and 20 as at 57and S9,

and 56 and 58, as shown in Figure 7. This feature allows ease ofextraction of the mop elements from the mop holders, provides for apliable joint of the mop heels as at 25, and also insures that nometalparts will be exposed to scratch stationary objects while mopping.It also allows for subsequent shrinkage of the mop heads. The method ofconstruction of the mop brush element by folding along the center line45 and sewing along the line 54- 54 insures that the mop brush cordage46 will be crowded together and thus push out and form the shape of amop brush generally designated 24 in Figure 8.

This insures cordage extending to each side of the mop Y holder, whichis highly desirable for mopping coverage and for the prevention ofscratching stationary objects.

The assembly of the mop handle 13 to the mop holder 19, which is alsoillustrative -of the `assembly of mop handle 12 to mop holder 20, asshown in Figure 6, provides for a firm yet exible union which may bereadily disassembled. The hook 16, Figure 6, is so constructed Vas toprevent the disconnection of rthe eye 15 While the at Iportion 44 of thehandle is -in an uprigh-t position even though the handle is raised andlowered in use. This "situ-ation obtains whether the mop handles are inthe position shown in Figure 2 or in the position shown in Figure 3wherein the mop handles :are parallel with the floor. This constructionlis accomplished by making the opening 43 of the hook 16 `of such a.size as lto allow the disconnection of the eye 15 only when .the handle13 and the holder 19 are rotated until *the at portion 44 is rotated toIthe dotted line position of Figure 6.

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avea/tea This may be accomplished fby rotating the mop handle 13 in thedirection of the arrow 56 or by rotating 'the mop holder 19 around itsaxis in the direction of the arrow 57 or Iby a combination of both. Inorder to rotate the mop handle 13 -in the direction of the arrow 56, thepivot bolt or rivet 14 mus-t be removed, thus releasing the mop handles.In order to rotate .the mop holder 19 around its Iax-is in the directionof the arrow 57, it is necessary Ito remove pivot bolt 30, thusreleasing the mop holders. The latter is easier, and hence preferable.While this procedure of disconnecting the mop holders from 'the mophandles is very simple, it cannot 'be accomplished until either pivotbolt 30 or pivot bolt 14 is removed, thus insuring that disconnectionwill not happen accidentally. In order to remove mop holder 20 from mophandle 12, -the same procedure is followed except that the mop handle 12:and the mop holder 20 -are each rotated in directions opposite to thatdescribed above for mop handle 13 and mop holder 19.

In use, the mop is grasped by the handle grips 11 and 10 land thehandles 12 and 13 are raised .or lowered to la comfortable height, thetautness of the .apron 21 meanwhile 'being maintained #by 'the tensionof the spring 22. The mop is then pushed forward Iby pressure upon thehandle grips 10 and 11. Side pressure upon said handle grips causes ascissors movement to increase or decrease the angle between the two mopholders 19 and 20, -thus providing a mopping surface of greater orlesser width as is desired for mopping in open spaces or crowded places,and for ease in maneuvering around stationary objects. Upward ordownward pressure upon theehaudle grips 10 and 11 will raise or lowerthe handles 12 and 13 for ease in getting under objects. All of theforegoing may be accomplished without interrupting the continu-ousforward motion of the mop. Dust and dirt will .collect upon the mop.brushes 23 `and 24, and litter will pile upon and over the mop holders19 and 20 and rbe collected in the apron 21. Thus, when Va load oflitter land dust has been collected the mop handles V12 and 13 may -bepushed ltogether and the loa-d picked up and held by the scissors actionof the mop holders 19 land 20, and then deposited in a desired place ora -desired container.

As many yapparently widely different embodiments of this invention maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, `it is :tobe understood that I do not limit myself to the specific embodimentsherein.

What I claim is:

l. A dust mop Vcomprising a pair of stili frames each having a cordagemop element removably carried thereby, means connecting an end of oneframe to an end of the other frame for pivoting movement of the framesrelative to each other, crossed handles for propelling the mop frames:and mop elements thereon and for pivoting the frames relative to eachother from a parallel to an open V position, and a fabric shieldattached to and r draped around the mop frames from the free end of one,thence around and behind the pivotal connection of said frames and tothe free end of -the other, and means attaching another portion of saidshield to one o'f the handles, said handles Ibeing straight throughouttheir extent except Iat an upper end grip portion and extending insideof the fabric shield draped around the mop frames and the lower ends ofsaid handles being directly connected yto `the respective stili framesapproximately midway between the ends of said still frames.

2. A dust mop comprising la pair of relatively elongated stilt mop framemembers adapted -to carry cleaning devices having .their ends pivotallyconnected together for movement from `a :position in which the framesare adjacent :and substantially parallel to an open V position, a .pairof handles pivotally connected together in crossed relation, adjacentlower ends of ythe handles being pivotally connected directly to the mopframes at points approximately midway between Ithe free ends of saidelemen-ts and their pivotally connected ends, so as to be mov- 6 ableupwardly and downwardly with respect Ito tloor level while the mop fnamemembers are generally parallel to fthe floor level, said handles lbeingsubstantially straight throughout .their extent except their upper endsbeing formed as hand grips.

3. The dust mop of claim 2 further .characterized in that a shield ofexible material is attached to Ithe stiff mop fra-mes from adjacent thefree end of one, thence past and behind lthe pivotal connection of saidframes and to the free end of the other, said shield also having Iamid-.portion thereof operatively attached to one of the crossed handlesadjacent the pivotal connection of said handles;

4. A dust mop .comprising a pair of relatively elongated stit mop frameshaving their ends pivotally connected together for movement from aposition in which the frames are adjacent and substantially parallel toan open V position, a pair yof handles pivotally connected together incrossed relation, adjacent ends of 'the handles being pivotallyconnected to 4the mop frames at points between the free ends of saidframes and -their pivotally connected ends, :the other ends of saidhandles |being formed as hand grips, a shield of flexible materialattached to the stilir mop frames from adjacent the free end of one,thence past and behind the pivotal connection of said frames and to thefree end of the other, said shield also having ya mid-portion 1thereofoperatively attached to one of the crossed handles adjacent the pivotalconnection of said handles, said mop frames carrying strands of mopcordage and said shield being attached to lthe stiff mop trames bystrands of the -mop cordage passed through eyelets in the shield ofllexible material, said strands of mop cordage lbeing ftied to adjacentstrands ofthe mop cordage.

5. A floor cleaning device comprising left and right stii frame-members,means pivotally connecting said frame-members together adjacent one endfor movement from a position in which they are generally parallel toeach other to a position in which they are angularly disposed, the endsof said left and right frame-members opposite said pivoted ends beingfree, oor cleaning devices attached along what is normally the underside of each of said frame-members, a handle assembly for propelling theframe-members along a path generally parallel to a floor that is to becleaned and in a direction such that the means pivoting saidframe-members together is rearwardly disposed and the free ends of saidleft and right frame-members are forwardly disposed in respect to thedirection of movement, said handle assembly comprising right and lefthandles each of a length so as to extend from the frame-members whenthey are in lloor cleaning position thence upwardly and rearwardly tothe level of an operators hands when the operator is standing erect,means loosely pivoting the lower end of the right handle to a point onthe left frame-member intermediate the free and pivoted ends thereof,said right handle in use being extended rearwardly and upwardly to thelevel of the operators right hand, means loosely pivoting the lower endof the left handle to a corresponding point on the right frame-memberbetween the free and pivoted ends thereof, said left handle when in usebeing similarly extended rearwardly and upwardly to the level of theleft hand of the operator, said handles being crossed and pivotedtogether at the point of crossing, said handle assembly as a Whole beingmovable pivotally so as to move the handles up and down in respect tofloor level while the frame-members are generally parallel to the oorand movable with respect to each other about their point of pivoting soas to move their lower ends toward and away from each other for pivotingthe frame-members with respect to each other.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that the verticalprojection of the pivot point of the crossed handles is rearward of thepivotal connection between the frame-members when the upper ends of thehandles are in normal operating position at operator level.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that the meanspivotally connecting the frame-members together is on a line midwaybetween the frame-members when the frame-members are moved pivotally toa position in which they are parallel to each other.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized Vin that the floorcleaning devices are cordage mops.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS v8,Whitaker July 10, Aultmau Dec. 9, Spino June 23, Estes Ian. 8, GregoryMar. 21, Gilsdorf Sept. 2, Thompson Sept. 16, Baker Dec. 2, Grant Sept.29, Clark Oct. 21,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 12, Germany Oct. 28,

